Spencer dropped the book she was reading and checked the clock. Six P.M. She sighed sadly, wishing Toby was there to keep her company. He vanished a few hours ago and she hadn’t seen him since. A part of her wondered if he was avoiding the inevitable conversation they had to have about their kiss.

                Letting out a sigh, she swung her legs over their white bed and walked out to the terrace. The cool, California air blew her hair behind her and relaxed her. Below her, waves crashed from the small beach, creating the smallest mist. She grinned softly, looking down. Her gaze fell on a silhouette of a man against a blowing palm tree.

                It was clearly Toby, writing in his journal. She could tell that he was irritated by whatever he was trying to say. Spencer watched for a few minutes as he wrote, crossed something out, then ripped the piece out and started all over again. Was he having conflicted emotions about the kiss? With a frown, she slipped back inside, determined to find him and talk to him about whatever was on his mind.

                Her bare feet made no sound against the sand as Spencer walked down to the beach. Expecting to see Toby by the palm tree, she quickly noticed he was no longer there. She glanced around and found him closer to the pool area, in a friendly conversation with Tyler about something they clearly didn’t care about. His journal was securely under his arm as he smiled at Tyler and shook his hand in farewell, heading to the house.

                Spencer just stood there for a moment, looking out at the ocean. The salty air chilled her face and she couldn’t help but sigh in longing, wondering what was to come for her and Toby now. Just as she was about to turn around to go back inside, her foot hit something.

                Curiously, Spencer reached down to grab the item. It didn’t take her long to realize it was a torn out, crumpled piece of paper from Toby’s journal, the intricate handwriting being a dead giveaway. Without even thinking, her eyes scanned over the nearly empty page, concentrating on the few words elegantly written in the center:

                Spencer. There isn’t a moment that goes by when I’m not thinking about her. The worst part? There’s unconditionally nothing I can do to stop it. I love her and I always will…